Best messaging apps
Personal messengers for chatting and calling friends and family, from WhatsApp-style mainstream apps to private, decentralised and open-source options.
31 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All messaging apps
- Alternatives to Signal
Nonprofit, open-source messenger with end-to-end encryption on every chat and call.
FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Element
The flagship open-source Matrix client for decentralised, encrypted chat that you can self-host.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted - Alternatives to WhatsApp
Meta's free phone-number messenger for chats, voice notes and calls, used by billions worldwide.
FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Telegram
Cloud-based messenger known for huge groups, public channels, bots and fast multi-device sync.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to SimpleX Chat
Open-source messenger with no user identifiers at all, not even random IDs, and self-hostable relays.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Session
Open-source encrypted messenger that needs no phone number and routes messages through an onion network.
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Threema
Swiss end-to-end encrypted messenger you buy once and can use without a phone number or email.
PaidOpen sourceWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Briar
Peer-to-peer encrypted messenger that works over Tor, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, even without internet.
FreeOpen sourceAndroid - Alternatives to Wire
European end-to-end encrypted messenger for teams and individuals, with MLS encryption and open-source apps.
Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Conversations
Open-source XMPP messenger for Android that is battery-friendly and works with any Jabber server.
Open sourceSelf-hostableAndroid, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Snapchat
Camera-first messenger for sending disappearing photos and videos, with Stories, Lenses and a map.
Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Delta Chat
Decentralised encrypted messenger built on email standards, with instant chatmail relays and in-chat apps.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Apple Messages (iMessage)
Apple's built-in Messages app, encrypted iMessage between Apple devices plus RCS and SMS for others.
FreemacOS, iOS - Alternatives to LINE
Japan's everyday messenger app, with free calls, stickers, OpenChat and built-in services.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Viber
Rakuten's free encrypted messenger with group chats, communities and paid calls to regular phones.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Cwtch
Metadata-resistant, decentralised messenger that runs everything over Tor onion services.
FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Monal
Open-source XMPP chat client for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with modern encrypted messaging.
FreeOpen sourcemacOS, iOS - Alternatives to Gajim
Free, open-source XMPP desktop chat client for Windows, macOS and Linux.
FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to KakaoTalk
South Korea's near-universal messenger, with Open Chat communities, a friends feed and built-in AI.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Facebook Messenger
Meta's messenger for chatting and calling your Facebook friends, with encrypted personal chats.
FreeWeb, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Olvid
French end-to-end encrypted messenger that needs no phone number, email or address book access.
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Beeper
Universal chat app from Automattic that puts WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and other networks in one inbox.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to FluffyChat
Friendly, open-source Matrix messenger that makes decentralised encrypted chat feel simple.
Open sourceWeb, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to bitchat
Public-domain Bluetooth mesh messenger that works with no internet, servers or phone numbers.
FreeOpen sourcemacOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Molly
Hardened open-source fork of Signal for Android, with database encryption, Tor support and no Google code.
FreeOpen sourceAndroid - Alternatives to Google Messages
Google's SMS and RCS texting app for Android, with encrypted RCS chats and a web companion.
FreeWeb, Android - Alternatives to WeChat
Tencent's super-app that combines messaging with payments, mini programs and services, centred on China.
FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - ImAlternatives to imo
Lightweight free messaging and video calling app built for slow connections and international calls.
FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Jami
GNU's peer-to-peer messenger and video calling app that works without central servers.
FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Status
Decentralised open-source messenger combined with a self-custodial crypto wallet and browser.
FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Zalo
Vietnam's most popular messenger, with chats, calls, large file sharing and official business accounts.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Our picks by need
Popular comparisons
Common questions
What are the best messaging apps?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading messaging apps right now are Signal, Element, WhatsApp, Telegram and SimpleX Chat.
Are there free messaging apps?
Yes. Signal (free), Element (open source), WhatsApp (free), Telegram (free plan + paid) and SimpleX Chat (open source) have a free option, out of 30 free or freemium apps we track.
Which messaging apps are open source?
Signal, Element, SimpleX Chat, Session, Threema and Briar, and 12 more.